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Hey Moe! Did you get the LM3409 drivers built? If so, How do you like them?

03-01-2012 12:34 AM

MoeBetta

Up and running! Now to finish the array!

12-27-2011 03:49 PM

O2surplus

MoeBetta

I use SeeedStudio Services : Seeed Studio Bazaar, Boost ideas, extend the reach
Their minimum order is 10 boards and the cost is very reasonable. I had my last order sent DHL express shipping, which brought up the cost of the boards to $46 total. That may seem expensive but- I received the boards 9 days after placing the order. You'll wait more than a month if you go with their "free shipping' option.
There is an "error" in the boards that I left there intentionally. It's the "Thermal Via" placed under the LM3409 IC.It's placed there to facilitate soldering of the "ground tab" under the chip. Make sure that you invest in a hands free magnifier prior to attempting to solder that chip to the board, it's extremely small, and difficult to see otherwise. I start assembly of each board by soldering in the LM3409 first(it's the most difficult to solder) and testing all 10 pins with a multimeter, before bothering to solder the rest of the components.
Let me know if you want to order from Seeed as I have the Gerber files already generated for the job. All you would have to do is rename them with your order #.

12-27-2011 02:47 PM

MoeBetta

o2, who do you use for small batches, and how many boards are you generally ordering at once?

I just ran the Batchpcb .dru and had some errors around the LM3409 since it's so small.

Thanks,

Jason

12-27-2011 04:49 AM

MoeBetta

Thanks once again O2, I'm looking over that excel spreadsheet trying to finalize my component selections then I'll be just about ready to move forward on this part of the project.

LED's are on their way.

12-15-2011 11:23 PM

O2surplus

Here's the EAGLE files for the PCB and the Bill Of Materials needed to build a copy for 48V/3,000mA operation. I'll update the parts list for higher Voltage/Current operation as soon as I can get more parts and do some testing.

I'm not exactly sure % wise, but I can adjust the current down to a mere "trickle" as compared to "full blast". The nice thing is- It can still be PWM dimmed down even further.

I have to admit that locating some of the parts needed for 48V/4.5A operation is a bit tough, and drives up the cost, but I'm working on it. I can post a bill of materials for this driver for 48V/3A operation, as that's what I intend to build more of. Let me kow what Ya'll think.

Well folks- here's the newest design.It features Analog Maximum Current adjust-ability and PWM dimming. I designed this on to operate off a 48 Vdc supply and output up to 4.5 amps. I'm sure (with the proper fuses and load balanced led strings) this little driver could run 48 XPG's at 1000ma (4 strings x 12 ) or 1 string of 12 XML's at 3000 ma. Not too shabby- IMHO, for a driver that costs around $20 to build. I'll post up the EAGLE files and a BOM if anyone's interested in building their own.

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